I.V. system for successive administration of two or more solutions at different rates

Abstract

The intravenous (I.V.) system provides for successive administration to a patient of two or more solutions but at different flow rates. Such system includes a primary or first intravenous set including tubing which at one end thereof enters a container having a first solution at a predetermined level and which extends from that point towards the patient. The tubing of the primary set includes a check valve above the connector site. A secondary set may be temporarily or permanently connected to the connector site and includes tubing attached to a second container having a second solution at a level above the level of the first fluid. Adjustable and independent flow control devices are provided in the tubing of the primary set, one flow control device being located downstream of the connector site for controlling the flow of solution from the second container and the other flow control device being located upstream of the connector site for automatically turning on and off the first solution at its own, individually set, flow rate, generally after the termination of the flow of the solution from the second container.

I claim: 
     
       1. In an intravenous set including a standard, a first container suspended from the standard and containing a first solution at a predetermined first level, a connector extending into the container, a first tubing depending from said connector and at its free end having means for connecting the set to a needle, catheter, to another set or directly to the veins of a patient, a connector site interposed in said first tubing adapted for the reception of a second solution from a second container suspended from said standard, the second solution being above said first level, a check valve in said first tubing above said connector site, and a first adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing below said connector site for controlling the rate of flow of the second solution; the improvement comprising a second adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing above said connector site, said second flow control clamp being preset for automatically initiating and controlling the rate of flow of the first solution from the first container after termination of the flow of the second solution from the second container, said first and scond adjustable flow control clamps being generally set at different flow rates; and a device in said first tubing below said connector site for preventing any air entering said first tubing through said connector site and the second container from continuing to the patient. 
     
     
       2. In the intravenous set of claim 1, said device comprising a dual hydrophilic and hydrophobic filter in said first tubing below the connector site, for the filtration of all solutions, and for venting to atmosphere any possible air entering said first tubing through the second container. 
     
     
       3. In the intravenous set ofclaim 1 wherein said first container has a stopper, and a drip chamber attached to said connector, said connector extending through stopper into said first container. 
     
     
       4. In the intravenous set of claim 2, the second container and second solution comprising a secondary intravenous set including a stopper, a drip chamber having a connector projected through the latter stopper, a second tubing at one end depending from the latter drip chamber and at its other end connected into said connector site. 
     
     
       5. In the intravenous set of claim 4, a third adjustable flow control clamp interposed in said second tubing intermediate its ends, said third adjustable flow control clamp being normally wide open, 
     
     
       6. In an intravenous set, a first container adapted to be suspended from a standard and containing a first solution at a predetermined first level, a connector extending into the container, a first tubing depending from said connector and at its free end having means for connecting the set to a needle, catheter, to another set or directly to the veins of a patient, a connector site interposed in said first tubing adapted for the reception of a second solution from a second container adapted to be suspended from a standard, the second solution being above said first level a check valve in said first tubing above said connector site, and a first adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing below said connector site for controlling the rate of flow of the second solution; the improvement comprising a second adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing above said connector site, said second flow control clamp being preset for automatically initiating and controlling the rate of flow of the first solution from the first container after termination of the flow of the second solution from the second container, said first and second adjustable flow control clamps being generally set at different flow rates; the second container and the solution therein comprising a secondary intravenous set including a stopper, a drip chamber having a connector projected through the latter stopper, a second tubing at one end depending from the latter drip chamber and ar its other end connected into the connector site; and a filter means interposed in the second tubing intermediate its ends preventing passage of air beyond said filter means and into said first tubing. 
     
     
       7. In the intravenous set of claim 6, said filter means being a dual hydrophilic filter for the filtration of the second solution and for venting to atmosphere any possible air entering the second tubing from the second container. 
     
     
       8. In the intravenous set of claim 6, said filter means being a hydrophilic filter within the drip chamber depending from the second container. 
     
     
       9. In an intravenous set, a first container adapted to be suspended from a standard and containing a first solution at a predetermined first level, a connector extending into the container, a first tubing depending from said connector and at its free end having means for connecting the set to a needle, catheter, to another set or directly to the veins of a patient, a connector site interposed in said first tubing adapted for the reception of a second solution from a second container suspended from a standard, the second solution being above said first level, a check valve in said first tubing above said connector site, and a first adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing below said connector site for the controlling the rate of flow of the second solution; the improvement comprising a second adjustable flow control clamp on said first tubing above said connector site, said second flow control clamp being preset for automatically initiating and controlling the rate of flow of the first solution from the first container after termination of the flow of the second solution from the second container, said first and second adjustable flow control clamps being generally set at different flow rates; the second container and solution comprising a secondary intravenous set including a stopper, a drip chamber having a connector projected through the latter stopper, a second tubing at one end depending from the latter drip chamber and at its other end connected into the connector site, and a floatable ball check nested within the drip chamber corresponding to the second container for preventing the passage of air therefrom when the solution therein is exhausted. 
     
     
       10. In the intravenous set of claim 1, the second container and solution therein comprising a secondary intravenous set including a stopper, a drip chamber having a connector projected through the latter stopper, a second tubing at one end depending from the latter drip chamber and at its other end connected into the connector site, an air valve closure tip normally spaced above the connector which depends from the second container; a slide shaft axially depending from said air valve closure tip, and loosely extending down into the second drip chamber connector; and a float upon the other end of the slide shaft normally immersed within fluid within the latter drip chamber connector and for permitting the flow of fluids therethrough, said air valve closure tip adapted to drop relative to said stopper for closing off air flow therethrough upon the falling of the solution within said second drip chamber to a predetermined level and for preventing the passage of air therethrough. 
     
     
       11. An intravenous set having on one end thereof a connector adapted to be attached to a container having a first solution at a predetermined first level, and having on the other end thereof a connection means for connecting the set to a needle, catheter, to another set or directly to the veins of a patient, a first tubing depending from said connector to said connection means, a connector site in said first tubing adapted for the reception of a second solution from a second container having a level above said first level, a check valve in said first tubing above said connector site, a first adjustable flow control device on said first tubing below said connector site adapted for controlling the rate of flow of the second solution, and a second adjustable flow control device on said first tubing on the upstream side of said connector site for automatically initiating and controlling the rate of flow of the first solution from the first container generally after termination of the flow of the second solution from the second container, said first and second flow control devices being generally set at different flow rates; and filter means for venting to atmosphere any air possibly entering the tubing through the second container and to prevent any air entering the tubing through the second container from continuing to the patient. 
     
     
       12. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said second flow control device is located in said first tubing on either side of said check valve. 
     
     
       13. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein means is provided for venting said tubing. 
     
     
       14. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein means is provided for preventing air from entering said first tubing. 
     
     
       15. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said connector is in the form of a spike. 
     
     
       16. The intravenous set defined in claim 15 wherein said spike is vented. 
     
     
       17. The intravenous set defined in claim 15 wherein said spike is unvented. 
     
     
       18. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said set has a drip chamber and said connector is in the form of a spike connected to said drip chamber. 
     
     
       19. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said flow control devices are of the roller clamp type. 
     
     
       20. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said flow control devices are of the slide clamp type. 
     
     
       21. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said flow control devices are of the screw clamp type. 
     
     
       22. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said connector site is in the form of a y-type injection site. 
     
     
       23. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said filter means is provided in said first tubing, said filter means being in the form of a hydrophilic-hydrophobic filter. 
     
     
       24. The intravenous set defined in claim 23 wherein said filter is located downstream of said check valve on either side of said first flow control device. 
     
     
       25. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein said filter means is provided in said first tubing, said filter means being in the form of hydrophilic filter. 
     
     
       26. The intravenous set defined in claim 11 wherein the second container and the second solution comprises a secondary intravenous set, a second connector attached to the second container and a second tubing at one end depending from said second connector and at its other end connected into said connector site. 
     
     
       27. The intravenous set defined in claim 26 wherein a third adjustable flow control device is interposed in said second tubing intermediate its ends, said third device being normally wide open. 
     
     
       28. The intravenous set defined in claim 26 wherein said secondary set includes a stopper, a second drip chamber to which said second connector is connected through said stopper, said second tubing at said one end depending from said second drip chamber, and said filter means being interposed in said second tubing intermediate its ends. 
     
     
       29. The intravenous set defined in claim 28 wherein said filter means being a hydrophilic and hydrophobic filter for the filtration of the secondary solution and for venting to atmosphere any possible air entering the second tubing from the second container. 
     
     
       30. The intravenous set defined in claim 28, wherein said filter means is in the form of a hydrophilic filter within the drip chamber depending from said second container. 
     
     
       31. In a set for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient, said set including: a primary tube for the flow of a primary medical liquid therethrough and including a primary valve for controlling the flow of liquid through said primary tube,   a secondary tube for the flow of a secondary medical liquid therethrough,   a common tube having its distal end in fluid communication with the proximal ends of said primary and secondary tube and its proximal end open for the flow of liquid therefrom to form a primary liquid flow path comprising said primary tube and said common tube and a secondary liquid flow path comprising said secondary tube and said common tube, the improvement which comprises:   a secondary flow control means in said secondary liquid flow path for adjusting the flow rate of said secondary liquid therethrough,   a primary flow control means on said primary tube for adjusting the flow rate of said primary liquid through said primary flow path to a rate independent of the flow rate of said secondary liquid through said secondary liquid flow path, and   an air barrier means within said secondary liquid flow path substantially impervious to air but permitting liquid flow there through while said set is in use and preventing the flow of air therethrough after said secondary liquid has been depleted, whereby, following administration of said secondary liquid, flow of said primary liquid may be resumed at the preset rate without adjustment of said primary or said secondary flow control means.   
     
     
       32. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said air barrier comprises a hydrophilic membrane disposed in a housing having an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with said secondary liquid flow path. 
     
     
       33. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said air barrier comprises a mechanical valve disposed in a housing having an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with said secondary liquid flow path. 
     
     
       34. The set defined in claim 33, wherein said mechanical valve is a float valve. 
     
     
       35. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said air barrier is located between the ends of said secondary tube. 
     
     
       36. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said air barrier is located between the ends of said common tube. 
     
     
       37. The set defined in claim 32, wherein said housing includes an air vent. 
     
     
       38. The set defined in claim 37, wherein said air vent is covered by a hydrophobic membrane. 
     
     
       39. the set defined in claim 31, wherein said primary tube further includes a primary piercing pin at its distal end for insertion into a container for a primary medical liquid and a drip chamber for forming drops of said primary liquid. 
     
     
       40. The set defined in claim 39, wherein said secondary tube further includes a secondary piercing pin at its distal end for insertion into a container for a secondary medical liquid, and a drip chamber for forming drops of said secondary liquid. 
     
     
       41. The set defined in claim 39 or 40, wherein said piercing pins and drip chambers are integral. 
     
     
       42. The set defined in claim 39 or 40, wherein said piercing pins have integral air vents. 
     
     
       43. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said secondary flow control means is on said common tube. 
     
     
       44. The set defined in claim 31, wherein said primary flow control means is on the distal side of said primary valve and said primary valve is further characterized as a one-way valve that allows said primary liquid to flow towards said common tube, but prevents the flow of said secondary liquid into said primary tube. 
     
     
       45. In a gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient, said system including: a primary container suspended in space for containing a primary medical liquid,   a primary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said primary container,   a secondary container suspended in space at a height greater than that of said primary container for containing a secondary medical liquid,   a secondary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said secondary container,   a common tube having its distal end in fluid communication with the proximal ends of said primary and secondary tubes and its proximal end open for the flow of liquid therefrom to form a primary liquid path comprising said primary tube and said common tube and a secondary liquid flow path comprising said secondary tube and said common tube, and   a primary valve in said primary tube which allows primary liquid to flow from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is greater than or equal to the height of said secondary liquid in said system and which prevents primary liquid from flowing from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than the height of said secondary liquid in said system, the improvement which comprises: an air barrier means within said secondary liquid flow path substantially impervious to air but permitting liquid flow there through while said system is in use and preventing the flow of air therethrough after said secondary liquid has been depleted,   secondary flow control means in said secondary liquid flow path for adjusting the flow rate of said secondary liquid therethrough, and   primary flowing control means on said primary tube for adjusting the flow of said primary liquid through said primary liquid flow path at a rate independent of the flow rate of said secondary liquid through said secondary liquid flow path,   whereby following administration of said secondary liquid, flow of said primary liquid may be resumed at the present rate without adjustment of said primary or said secondary flow control means.